Helm and Eaves will sit out a minimum of 10 games, making an Oct. 23 home game against the Ottawa Senators the first contest they’d be eligible to play in. Of course, there are no guarantees regarding when Helm, 26, and Eaves, 29, might be able to suit up again.

Helm was limited to a single contest in 2013 thanks to back problems, although his latest issue might be groin-related (you never know with NHL teams). Eaves is dealing with an ankle injury, but was at least able to play in 34 contests last season.

Losing both is rough for Detroit, especially from a penalty killing standpoint.

As far as Gustavsson and Tootoo are concerned, they’ll be out for seven days, though assignments can also be retroactive to an early date.

This is due to the Wings signing too many players. When they signed Dan Cleary, that gave them 17 forwards signed, when they only want 13 forwards on the 23-man roster that is mandated by the league. Wings fans knew this was coming, they are just juggling borderline players until real injuries occur, freeing up roster space. Helm and Gustavsson are the only two that are too sore to play, as far as I know.